Bogged Down

 

I don’t know about you, but I find myself getting so bogged down with doing this and that, that I fail to do what I ought to be doing. For instance, this blog. Since I started back doing this blog, I post something every single day – it’s a commitment that I uphold, to God and to you. However, years ago, when I first started, I would miss several days at a time. I let busyness get the better of me.

Just like Martha in Luke 10:38-42, we sometimes pay so much attention to peripheral issues that we lose sight of what’s really important. Can you relate?

In those days, my busyness could allow as much as nine days to lapse between posts. What was I really doing during those nine days? I looked around and I could see no evidence of my busyness.

In Ecclesiastes, Solomon lets us know that all our striving is like chasing after the wind but what God has appointed us to do is worthwhile, substantial and will make a difference. So whether this blog is read by thousands or by only one person, I know that because God has led me to do it, it is accomplishing His purpose therefore I need to be consistent and not allow myself to be pulled away.

The truth is, when I sit down to meditate, research, and write, what is actually happening is that I am spending time in God’s presence and then, I become like Martha’s sister Mary, who sat at Jesus’ feet, hanging on to Jesus’ every word – learning valuable lessons and gaining spiritual insight as I read and listen.

Beloved do not believe that you have to be in church or theological college or in a Bible study group to sit at Jesus’ feet and be in His presence. Spending time with God can take place right where you are. 

Many years ago, my bedroom was where I really got into deep intimate fellowship with God – conversing, studying His Word and being taught by Spirit. Nowadays, it’s early in the morning, seated on a couch in my Family Room – the significance of that location is not lost on me.

Too many times, we favour busyness over intimacy. Forgetting that there’s a time for everything, we get so involved in certain things that the one thing that matters is neglected. Jesus said to Martha,

“Oh Martha, Martha, you are so anxious and concerned about a million details, but really, only one thing matters. Mary has chosen that one thing, and I won’t take it away from her.” (Luke 10:41-42 VOICE)

Unlike her sister, Mary used her time wisely. She seized the opportunity to take full advantage of Jesus’ visit. We too must make the choice not to misuse our time. 

What’s the use of getting so bogged down with stuff that we miss out on that one thing that won’t be taken away from us? Spending vital family time with God – Father, Son and Spirit.

Let us pray for wisdom concerning all things, especially about the time we spend with God.

Amen†

 

 

Shelley Johnson “Bogged Down” © 2017 revisited June 16, 2025